Scammers Pose as Banks

impersonating banks.” Boy, they’re on top of this, I thought. Or are they?

The email said, “We will never ask you to move or send money to resolve a fraud issue.” But then the email invited me to click on a button to “Review Scams.”

Um … I don’t think I will. Helpfully, the email said: “Scammers can make caller ID, emails and texts display as messages from your bank …. If you’re unsure, don’t engage.”

Good advice. So I’m not clicking on anything. If I’m being paranoid, I can live with that. Any online interaction I have with my bank — or anyone else concerning financial matters — will be contacts I initiate myself through the secure online process. And I’m printing up this latest message to take to a human at the bank.

The email from Chase looked legit and the message got my attention: “We’ve placed a stop payment on the check you sent.” Click here to read your Secure Message.

Before I could think, I had clicked on the link, which took me to a Chase site with a completely genuine- looking URL.

Fortunately, my brain had kicked in before I clicked anything or entered any of my info. Phew.

“Wait a minute,” I said, opening my online account. No sign of any red flags.

I printed the email and took it to my bank. The teller was baffled. She hadn’t seen this before, and could find no problems with my accounts.

Scam! The very next morning, another email from Chase, with asterisks! “**Attention, Edward: Scammers are —Ted Pease